Sustainability Efforts in the Wool Industry

We talked yesterday again about the sustainability efforts in the beef industry. But other sectors of agriculture are also working on sustainability, including the sheep and wool industry. The American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) recently provided information through Dr. Paul Swan from Australia, International Wool Textile Organization (IWTO) technical advisor on sustainability and the wool life-cycle analysis. He says it’s …

USDA Proposes Rule to Eliminate Redundant Hog Carcass Cleaning Regulation

The Department of Agriculture last week proposed to amend federal meat inspection regulations to repeal what USDA calls a redundant regulatory requirement for hog slaughter establishments. The Food Safety and Inspection Service says the proposed rule would remove a redundant requirement that requires hog slaughter establishments to clean hog carcasses before cutting. Establishments are required to have a Hazard Analysis …

China Steps Up Pork Inspections, Slowing Imports

China is stepping up inspections of pork imports from the United States. Ports are opening and inspecting every cargo that arrives, according to a report by Reuters, compared with inspections carried out only “randomly” in the past. Some trade experts see the move, along with other similar actions by China, as a warning to the United States in response to …

Backyard Chicken Coop Considerations

Continuing her series on raising backyard chickens, Cathy Isom gives you some important things to consider for your backyard chicken coop. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Backyard Chicken Coop Considerations For anyone who decided to take the plunge and bring home those cute baby chicks, after about six weeks you’ll need housing for them that’s a little …

Analyst: Labor Shortages and Volatile Feed Prices Ahead for Meat Industry

A Rabobank analyst says the U.S. could be on the tail end of the second longest expansion of its economy in history. Rabobank Analyst Don Close told the North American Meat Institute this week there are implications for the meat industry, including a pending labor shortage and possible volatile commodity prices ahead, according to meat industry publication Meatingplace. Close warns …

If It’s Meat, It’s USDA’s Responsibility to Make Sure It’s Safe

If a food product is labeled “meat,” Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue says it is USDA’s responsibility to ensure its safety for consumers. Stephanie Ho has the story. If It’s Meat, Its USDA’s Responsibility Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Critical Funding To Enhance Brahman GeneticsApril 24, 2026Strong Relationship Exists Between the Florida Cattle Enhancement Board and UF-IFASApril 17, 2026Florida Cattle …

USDA Seeks Feedback from Growers about 2018 Crops, Stocks, Livestock Inventories and Values

During the next several weeks, U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will conduct two major mid-year surveys, the June Agricultural Survey and the June Area Survey. The agency will contact nearly 700 producers across Florida to determine crop acreage and stock levels as of June 1, 2018. “Two of the most important and well-known surveys NASS …

Raising Chicks to Backyard Chickens

You are thinking about raising your own chickens for eggs and meat. Cathy Isom has some tips for raising chicks to backyard chickens. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Raising Chicks to Backyard Chickens If this is your year to try your hand at raising chicks into backyard chickens, here are some tips to help you get started. …